Believe it or not, with the right preparation, winter can actually be a great time to run with cooler temperatures and not a lot of runners on the trails.

These tips can help you safely run in the winter months:

Run with friends: Running with others will not only keep you entertained during your run, it’s also safe. If you happen to fall or get lost on a trail in chilly temps, you will have others with you who can go for help.

Wear the right clothing: Accessorizing is key to running in the winter months. Make sure you wear plenty of layers that you can add or remove depending on your temperature. Try to wear clothing that blocks the wind and attire that prevents moisture from sticking to your skin. Also make sure you have a hat, gloves, tights and a running jacket.

Get traction: Wear trail shoes or add a traction device to your shoes to make sure you don’t slip on the snow.

Pick the right times of the day to run: As days are shorter during the winter, make sure you are running during a time of day when it’s light out, and also try to pick the warmest part of the day.

Wear reflectors: Make sure you are visible to traffic by wearing reflective clothing or flashing lights.

Pick the right spots: When running in the winter, make sure you pick the smart parts of the path to run on. Avoid ice or packed snow and instead try to run on fresh snow when pavement isn’t available.

Add time to your warm-up: Your body will take longer to warm up during the winter months, so try to add more time to your warm-up before you start your run. You can even take a warm shower before heading out to get your muscles warmed up.

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